Selector-translator



1938- H. R. ALLENS\INORTH 2,139,655

SELECTOR-TRANSLATOR Filed Jan. 28, 1937 4 alh il a ET'.

INVENTOR HARRY R ALLENSWORTH ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 13,1938

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTOR-TRANSLATOB Harry B. Allensworth, Columbus, Ohio Application January 28, 1937, Serial No. 122,827

. 4 ums. (CL 177-380) My invention relates to electromagnetic communication' systems and more particularly to a selector-translator comprising a plurality of electromagnetic relays, interconnected by electric circuits; the whole forming a network, the constituent members of said network being so disposed into groups and sequences as to function as a selector of 'certain operating sequences as required in pulsing and timing signal impulse sequences or trains and as a translator of signal impulse sequences or trains into signal impulse sequences difiering in character from the original signal impulse sequences.

An object of the invention is a new and improved combination comprising a novel selectortranslator by means of which heretofore unrealized results are attained in selection and translation of signal impulse sequences or trains into signal impulse sequences or trains diifering in character from the original signal impulse sequences; and/or the translation of signal impulse sequences of uncertain and varying timing or periodicity into isochronal signal impulse trains the timing or periodicity of which isochronal sequences or trains are in conformity to a predetermined timing or periodicity, which predetermined timing or'periodicity may be asynchronous or synchronous in relation to the original impulse sequences.

A further object of the inventionis to attain these results by means of an electric network comprising relays only .for connecting and/or disconnecting various circuit combinations within the network and for timing such connecting and/or disconnecting operations.

A further object resides in the attainment of these results without theaid or employment of rotating contacts, rotary switches or rotating cam actuated contacts.

In accordance with my invention these objects are attained by a selector-translator comprising a network including a plurality of quick acting, slow to release 'and slow to operate electromagnetic relays interconnected by electric circuits and so disposed into groups and sequences as to function as a selector of such circuit and relay combinations. as will cause signal impulse sequences of one character to be translated into signal impulse sequences of a different character as may be required; the timing of said translated sequences being independent of the timing of the original impulse sequences.

My invention will be best described and understood from a consideration of the following described practical application and detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, with the understanding however that the invention is not confined to the one practical application herein selected for purposes of illustration nor is the invention confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes and/or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Illustrative of one, only, of the practical applications of my invention: The conventional fire alarm signal (box) circuit, in manually operated systems, terminates in a central oflice relay responsive to numerical impulse trains; the local circuit of which relay-neglecting other provided facilities for signal reception-comprisesan electromechanical tape register. The operation of a signal box causes the number of digit impulses corresponding to the number of that box to be marke "--prlnted, punched, out or otherwiseon the tape which marking will always correspond to the numerical impulse train communicated to said tape register by the signal line relay,

Applying my invention to this circumstance, the electromechanical tape register is replaced with a printing telegraph printer. The numerical impulse sequences communicated to the printing mechanism are translated into printing telegraph code impulse sequences and the number of the signal box from which the signaloriginates is recorded on the tape in printed nu- I merals.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing: Ll is closed on L2 by the operation of a relay (not shown) responsive to numerical impulse sequences or trains of short and long impulses originating in a fire alarm signal (box) circuit or other source which causes relay A to operate responsive to the said impulse sequences, alternately opening and closing contact 6 and alternately closing and opening contacts 1 and 8 and pulsing contact 9. The closing of 6 completes a circuit from grounded battery Ill through H and slow to release relay B to ground. For purpose of this'illustration, assume 6 to be normally closed. Relay B being energized, closes l2' and i3 which, because of B being slow to-release, remain closed for the duration 01' impulse sequences communicated to it by the operation of contact 6., Closed contacts l2 and I3 put one side of slow to release relays C and D, respectiyely, to ground'thus completing two circuits from grounded battery i4; through contact I through 5 and slow to release relay C to ground through l2; and also through contact 8 through it and slow to release relay D to ground through l3. Relay C, upon becoming energized, closes ll and it? which, because of C being slow to release, also remain closed for the duration of the impulse sequence communicated to C by the operation of contact 7. Relay D, upon becoming energized, closes i9 and 28 which, because of D being slow to release likewise remain closed for the duration of the impulse sequences communicated to D by the operation of contact 8.

The closing of contacts l9 and 20 completes a circuit from grounded battery 2| through 22, relay C, 23 and 24 to ground at 25. Thus with 25 closed C cannot start to release until after D has released.

The closing of l! completes a circuit from grounded battery ill through pulsing contact 9, through 26, 21 and 28 to one side of relays E, F, G, H, J, K, M, N, 0 and P. The closing of i8 completes a circuit from grounded battery l0 through 28, 30 and 3| to one side of relays El, Fl, GI, Hi, Jl, Kl, Ml, Ni, 0i and PI.

Thus is the way prepared for relays E, F, G, H, J, K, M, N, O and P to receive digit impulses emanating from pulsing contact 9 which is responsive to impulse sequences in Ll, L2.

The closing of contact 9 completes a circuit from grounded battery l0, through 9, through 26, ll, 21, 28 and relay E to ground through contact 32. It will be noted that at this stage no relay common to 28, other than E, can take battery from lll.

E upon becoming-energized closes contacts lXn, ZXE, 3XE, SXE, 33 and 34 and opens 35, for the duration of the impulse. ables E to hold its ground subsequent to the opening of 32. The closing of 33 completes a circuit from grounded battery l0 through 28, I8, 30, 3i and relay El to ground. El upon becoming energized closes 25, 36 and 31 and opens 32. The closing of 31 holds El energized as long as l8 remains closed. The closing of 25 puts ground on 24.

At the termination of the impulse, 8 opens and E is deenergized opening lXz, 2&, 3Xa, 5Xz, 33 and 34 and closing 35. E thus becomes no longer operable from battery in 28 as long as El remains energized. The closing of 35 puts ground on F through 38, 35 and 35. The next succeeding digit impulse closes 9 and completes a circuit from grounded battery l0, through 8, 26, ll, 21, 28 and relay F to ground through 38, 35 and 36. F upon becoming energized closes IXF, 2Xr, 5Xr, 39 and 40 for the duration of the impulse and opens 41 for the duration of that impulse. The closing of 38 enables F to hold-its ground subsequent to the opening of 38. The closing of 40 completes a circuit from l3 through 28, i8, 30, 3i and relay Fl to ground through 35 and 38. Fl upon becoming energized closes 42, 43 and 44 and opens 38. The closing of 42 and 43 holds Fl energized as long as l8 remains closed. At the termination of the impulse, 3 opens and F is deenergized opening lXr, 2X1, 5Xr, 33 and 48 and closing 4|. F thus becomesno longer operable from battery in 28 as long as Fl remains energized. The closing of 43 and 44 puts ground on 4| and renders G operable inresponse to the next succeeding digit impulse.

This explanation of the operation oi. E and F in response to the initial and next succeeding impulse will explain fully how each succeeding 1111- The closing of 34 enpulse operates the next succeeding relay in the group G, H, J, K, M, N, O and P and how Gl, Hi, Jl, Kl, Ml, Ni, Cl and Pi perfom the same functions with relation to G, H, J, K, M, N, O and P, respectively, as El and Fl perform with respect to E and F. From this it will be readily understood that one digit impulse will operate relay E and El only. Two digit impulses will progess to relay F and Fl and so on through the series. Obviously ten digit impulses will operate relay P and its associated relay Pl.

It will be well to explain at this point that, in the kind of a signal system here under consideration a digit impulse is a marking impulse and also that in conventional fire alarm signal circuit operation the final impulse in a single numerical impulse train is a long impulse. Contrasted to this, the standard five unit printing telegraph code is a combination of marking and spacing impulses in various combinations, each combination totaling five impulses. The standard five unit code for the ten numerals is as follows:

Figure one; marking, marking, marking, spa ing, marking.

Figure two; marking, marking, spacing, spacing, marking.

Figure three; marking, spacing spacing, spacing, spacing.

Figure four; spacing, marking, spacing, marking, spacing.

Figure five; spacing, spacing, spacing, spacing, marking.

Figure six; marking, spacing, marking, spacing, marking.

Figure seven; marking, marking, marking, spacing, spacing.

Figure eight; spacing, marking, marking, spacing, spacing.

Figure nine; spacing, spacing, spacing, marking, marking.

Figure naught; spacing, marking, marking, spacing, marking.

Furthermore, in startstop printing telegraph practice the flve unit code is actually a seven unit code because each five unit sequence is preceded by a start impulse and followed by a stop impulse. The start impulse is a spacing impulse. The stop impulse is a. marking impulse.

Returning now to further description and explanation of my invention; Referring again to the accompanying drawing; assume that relay A responds to a single digit impulse (this in a numerical sequence represents the Figure one) there being only one impulse in this train it will be the last impulse in that train and accordingly, a

long impulse. As heretofore explained this single impulse will operate relay E which will in turn cause El to operate under which condition lxc, 2Xn, 31h, ixu, 25, 33, 34, 36 and 31 are closed and 32 and 35 are open. The closing of Die, 2X3, 3X: and 5X: puts ground on i, 2, 3 and 5. The closing of 25 puts ground on 24;

This condition is established because of 3 being closed. With 9 closed 3 is open and I and 8 areclosed. remains openpasttheholding time 01' slow to release relay B which upon releasing opens l2 and i3 taking ground 01! C and D. Slow. to release relay D will be next torelease, opening I! and 28 and closing 45. This completes a circuit from grounded battery 43 through relay Q, through 41, contact 48, through 43, 45, 24 and25 to ground.

Relay Q upon becoming energized closes 43'. This completes a circuit from g roimded battery 45 through 50, relay R and 49 to ground. Likewise, relay R upon becoming energized operates relay S and so on through the chain so that with the closing of 45 relays Q, R, S, T, U, V, W and control relay CR operate and are successively released as will be shown.

Control relay CR upon becoming energized closes 5| and 52 and opens 48 and 53. The closing of 5| and 52 completes a circuit from gounded battery 54 through 55, relay C, 56 to ground at 52. This holds slow to release relay C energized as long as control relay CR remains energized. The closing of 5| likewise puts ground- 'ed battery from 54 on 51 which renders slow to operate relays QI, RI, SI, TI, UI and VI operable upon the releasing of relays Q, R, S, T, U and V as is shown.

It will be noted that transmitting relay TR is normally closed, its circuit being; grounded battery 54, TR, 58 to ground at 53. CR upon becoming energized opens 45 and 53. The opening of 52 removes ground from TR which releases. The opening of 48 removes ground from Q which releases and a five unit code sequence starts through TR.

The closing of 52 also puts ground on 59. Q releases with the opening of 48. The releasing of Q opens 45' and closes 80. The opening of 48' does not release R because with 52 closed it takes ground from 55 at CI. The closing of 60 energizes slow to operate relay QI with battery from 54. The operation of QI releases R by opening BI.

The normally closed circuit comprising transmltting relay TR is opened at 53 by the operation oi. CR and has remained open during the time required for Q to release, QI to operate and R to release. Accordingly the combined action of Q and QI has transmitted a start (spacing) impulse to TR. Relay R upon releasing puts slow to operate relay RI to ground at 62 and also closes IY which puts ground on 58 through IXE, I, IY and IZ. This closes TR which remains closed until slow to operate relay RI operates and removes ground at IZ. Accordingly the start (spacing) impulse transmitted to TR by the action of Q and QI has been followed by a marking impulse by the action of R and RI. It will be noted however that with no ground on I at IX: this later impulse would be a' spacing impulse.

Relays S, SI; T, TI; U, UI and V, VI operate in pairs as explained with reference to R and RI. I, 2, 3 and 5 are grounded at IXE, ZXE, 3X: and 5X1: by the operation of relay E. I, 2, 3 and 5 put ground on 58 successively by the closing and opening, respectively, of IY, IZ; 2Y, 2Z; 3Y, 3Z and 5Y and 5Z.

VI, when energized by the releasing of V, in addition to removing ground from 58 by the opening of 52, removes ground from W which upon releasing opens 53 which causes CR to release opening 5I and 52 and closing 48 and 53. The opening of 5i and 52 permits C to release.

The release of opens I1 and I8 which permits E and El to'release. The opening of I removes battery from 51 which permits QI, RI, SI, TI, UI and VI to release. Opening of 52 removes ground from 59. Closing of 53 restores ground to 58 closing TR and the network is restored to normal, awaiting the next impulse sequence to be communicated to A from LI, L2.

Thus with I, 2, 3 and 5 taking ground at IXa, 2X1, 2X: and 5XE the code impulse sequence communicated to TR by the joint action of relays Q, R, S, T, U and V and associated relays QI, RI, SI, Tl, UI and VI is; start (spacing), marking, marking, marking, spacing, marking, stop (marking) which transmitted to a startstop telegraph printer (not shown) in L2 will cause the printer to print thefigure 1.

Likewise any numerical impulse train of from one to ten digit impulses ending with a long (marking) impulse, originating in LI, L2; will, by the operation of the selector-translator herein described, be translated into corresponding five unit code combinations of marking and spacing impulses-each of which five unit combinations will be preceded by a start (spacing) impulse and followed by a stop (marking) impulseand in that form be transmitted in L3. Furthermore, the timing of the five unit impulse sequence transmitted in L3 will be isochronal and independent of the timing of the numerical impulse sequence originating in LI, L2.

In the single practical application of the invention herein selected for purposes of illustration, numerical impulse sequences are translated into five unit printing telegraph code impulse sequences although some printing telegraphs employ a six unit code. Obviously, for the printing of numerals only, a four unit code will suffice. But whatever may be the code requirements of various printing telegraphs or other signaling systems the adaptability of the selectortranslator herein described to meet those requirements should, from the foregoing description, be self evident.

The adaptability and operation of the selectortranslator herein described in translating signal impulse sequences of uncertain and varying timing or periodicity into isochronal signal'impulse trains, the timing or periodicity of which isochronal sequences or trains are in conformity to a predetermined timing or periodicity; i. e.. translating from numerical impulse sequences or trains into other numerical impulse sequences or trains; will be fully understood, by those skilled in the art, from the following explanation. X contacts of relays E, F, G, H, J, K, M, N, O and P are rearranged as follows. Relay E, 1 X contact; F, 2 X contacts; G,-3 X contacts; H, 4 X contacts and so on to O which will have X contacts. Conductor group I, 2, 3, 4, 5 is increased to 10 to accommodate X contacts on those relays (K, M, N, O and P) having from 6 to 10 X contacts. The chain of relays Q, Ql to V, VI is increased by the addition of 5 pairs of relays all connected a shown with respect to R -RI, etc. and the five additional conductors from additional contacts are disposed in relation to these added relays as is shown at IY and other Y contacts.

From the foregoing description the operation of the selector-translator under these conditions should be fully obvious to any one skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In combination, a source of numerical impulse series, a quick acting relay responsive to each impulse of the series, two slow release relays operated by the quick acting relay and maintained operated during the impulses of a series of impulses but releasing between impulse series, a chain of numerical impulse counting relays, means including one of said slow release relays for rendering the counting chain of relays variably responsive to the impulses of the series by counting the number of impulses therein and to maintain such variable responsiveness, a chain of impulse distributing relays for timing the transmission of impulses, means operated by the other slow release relay for energizing all of the relays of the distributing chain when it is released, means whereby the distributing chain of relays when energized maintains the first mentioned slow release relay operated independent of the impulses of the series, means including the distributing relays for thereafter releasing the distributing relays sequentially during a time interval less than the interval between impulse series, means controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions for determining whether a marking or spacing impulse is to be transmitted by the distributing relays upon their sequential release at each release independent of the other releases and, at the termination of the release of all the distributing relays, ni'eans for releasing the slow release relay maintained 'operated by the distributing chainof relays.

2. In combination, a source of numerical impulse series, a quick acting relay responsive to each impulse of the series, two slow release relays operated by the quick acting relay and maintained operated during the impulses of a series of impulses but releasing between impulse series, a chain of numerical impulse counting relays, means including one of said slow release relays for rendering the counting chain of relays variably responsive to the impulses of the series by,

counting the number of impulses therein and to maintain such variable responsiveness, a chain of impulse distributing relays for timing the transmission of impulses, means operated by the other slow release relay for energizing all of the relays of the distributing chain when it is released, means whereby the distributing chain of relays when energized maintains the first mentioned slow release relay operated independent of the impulses of the series, means including the slow release relays for sequentially releasing the slow release relays whereby the second mentioned slow release relay releases at the termination of each numerical impulse series and the first mentioned slow release relay releases at the termination of each impulse series transmitted, means including the distributing relays for thereafter releasing the distributing relays sequentially during a time interval less than the interval between impulse series, means controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions for determining whether a marking or spacing impulse is to be transmitted by the distributing relays upon their sequential release at each release independent of the other releases and, at the termination of the release of all the distributing relays, means for releasing the slow release relay maintained operated by the distributing chain of relays.

3. In combination, a source of numerical impulse series, a quick acting relay responsive to each impulse of the series, two slow release relays operated by the quick acting relay and maintained operated during the impulses oi a series of impulses but releasing between impulse series, a chain of numerical impulse counting relays, means including said chain of numerical impulse counting relays and one of said slow release relays for rendering the counting chain oi relays variably responsive to the impulses oi the series by counting the number of impulses therein and to maintain such variable responsiveness, a chain of impulse distributing relays for timing the transmission of impulses, means operated by the other slow release relay for energizing all of the relays of the distributing chain when it is released, means whereby the distributing chain of relays when energized maintains the first mentioned slow release relay operated independent of the impulses of the series, means including the distributing relays for thereafter releasing the distributing relays sequentially during a time interval less than the interval between impulse series, means controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions for determining whether a marking or spacing impulse is to be transmitted by the distributing relays upon their sequential release at each release independent of the other releases and, at the termination of the release of all the distributing relays, means for releasing the slow release relay maintained operated by the distributing chain of relays.

4. In combination, a source oi numerical impulse series, a quick acting relay responsive to each impulse of the series, two slow release relays operated by the quick acting relay and maintained operated during the impulses of a series of impulses but releasing between impulse series, a chain of numerical impulse counting relays, means including one of said slow release relays for rendering the counting chain of relays variably responsive to the impulses of the series by counting the number of impulses therein and to maintain such variable responsiveness, a. chain of impulse distributing relays for timing the transmission of impulses, means operated by the other slow release relay for energizing all of the relays of the distributing chain when it is released, means whereby the distributing chain of relays when energized maintains the first mentioned slow release relay operated independent oi. the impulses oi the series, means including the distributing relays ior thereafter releasing the distributing relays sequentially during a time interval less than the interval between impulse series, means controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions for determining whether a marking or spacing impulse is to be transmitted by the distributing relays upon their sequential release at each release independent of the other releases, means controlled by the first relay of the distributing chain whereby each impulse series controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions is preceded by a spacing impulse and means controlled by the last relay of the distributing chain whereby each impulse series controlled by the counting relay chain in its variably operated conditions is followed by a marking impulse, and, at the termination of the release of all the distributing relays, means for releasing the slow release relay maintained operated by the distributing chain of relays.

HARRY R. ALLENSWORTH. 

